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Someone once told me the story of the escape tunnel . A colleague at work was partially retired . He had about two years to go and had purchased a new car with a credit agreement . His plan was to work for the two years and the wages would pay the debt off . He likened it to being in a prison and digging his way out. He dug a little closer to the retirement date every day and every week. He had the dates written down and crossed the days off as they passed. 2 years he said and that time will pass quickly . I used to laugh at him . Two years was a long time . However he was right . In the end the two years did pass. He paid the debt off and he retired . Lockdown is a bit like that but the difference is that there is not an end date in sight . Another week and we will hear Boris again telling us what happens next . A slight opening up of restrictions and perhaps schools opening but we have another week to wait to find out what the changes will
be.
I woke early to the sound of rain and wind. They used to say that we experienced four seasons in a day. Today we experienced March weather with the wind and the soft rain of April. I had a mission today. I needed to get some cash to pay for turf which is arriving next week. My feet had stopped aching finally. Perhaps I have got used to all this walking. Even though it was windy I felt that I needed to get up and out. Today felt different . Nothing really had changed apart from the fact that we got out in Gabby yesterday . For the last eight weeks we had done what we were told. Stay in . We had gone into Gabby a few times to check her over. Her batteries were still working fine. We had moved her slightly to get her tyres turned . Today we decided it was time to take her for a ride. She started up straight away and off we set . The seaside was an option but we felt that perhaps that was overstretching us today . Perhaps the thought that it was a Bank Holiday weekend
put us off . Instead we drove down to the A38 - the main road from Derby to the M1. It felt as if we were going on holiday as this is a route we often take. On to the motorway . On at one junction and off at the next . We did not drive far but it was far enough to make us realise that we were missing our life on the road in the motorhome.
Today was back to more of the same walking but it felt better knowing we had been out in Gabby. Down Hockley Lane we are heading . I walked past the drive to the old walled gardens of the hall. I would have loved to walk to see them but the sign private on the gate kept me out. My head was full of news that is coming out of Greece. They want tourists to their holiday resorts . They are missing the money that tourists bring in . A list of countries had come out and we are not amongst them.We are not welcome yet as we have not conquered Coronvirus , Despite the fact that our deaths have dropped
by 50% and continues to drop. By the time I had reached the A61 I had moved from holidays in Greece to holidays in Cyprus . Their government too had offered glimmers of hope of a summer sun season . But yet again we are on the naughty step . Our numbers of infections are too high for the likes of both countries . How do you compare countries against each other ? Some say that Britain is at the top. Number one at the top of the charts with numbers dying . In reality we are probably number 6. Countries compare deaths in different ways . We are comparing unlike with unlike . Belgium is number 1 apparently . A smaller country with more deaths compared to its size of population . We are cheek by jowl with our neighbours - France is much bigger with much more landmass. Therefore a different country and a different set of conditions . I felt that we are trying to compare unlike with unlike .
The local school children had made scarecrows . One of a doctor and the other another worker . They must have had fun filling the heads and decorating the clothing. My walk took me across to the new Methodist Church . I wondered two things as I walked by . The first was why the church built such a utilitarian building . A plain white box . The only sign of an older chapel was the sign over the door must have once sat above the old chapel door. I wondered what a 22nd century walker would think of the plain building which had no style to it . Would they think that we the builders were innovative, Cheapskate or practical? I wondered what a historian in the future would think about Covid 19. Comparing each countries performance I pondered on what they might make of the way we have performed.
Having picked up my money the reason for my walk was over. It was time to head home and have that usual cup of coffee and piece of cake .
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Jackie Harrison
non-member comment
M1
I don't see why you cant go up the M1 if Dominic Cummings can drive 250miles!!! I'm going to see my family next week in Bristol!! I've had enough of 'Do as I Say, not as I Do!! x